By Lem Satterfield
On Friday, Showtime officially announced their multi-fight agreement with undefeated IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute. The popular Canadian boxer had appeared on HBO in two of his last three outings. The move to Showtime made perfect sense for Bute's career. The network has a firm grasp on the best fighters at 168-pounds. The majority of them are currently involved in Showtime's ongoing Super Six tournament.
The fighter leading the tournament by a wide point margin is undefeated WBA champion Andre Ward, who takes a fight outside of the tournament on November 27 against Sakio Bika. Ward is now viewed by most experts as the frontrunner to win the entire Super Six. Once the Super Six is over, Ward would love to get Bute in the ring.
"I think that that fight would be huge. Obviously, the winner of this Super Six is the natural pick for Lucian Bute. Because, he's, arguably, along with the other contestants in the Super Six, he's one of the best super middleweights in the world," Ward said.
"You know, I see that Ring Magazine has me listed as the No. 2 guy behind Lucien Bute, and I don't really like that position. So, you know, God-willing, I will handle my business in my next fight and then in my next couple of fights, and then, I would love that fight."
Ward would like a Bute fight to take place immediately after the Super Six is over.
"I think that a fight between myself and Lucian Bute is a natural and that I think that that should be the next fight after the tournament. I think that it's something that has to happen. I think that, like it's been mentioned, that the fans are clamoring about it," Ward said.
"The media wants it and has been talking about it. I think that it is a fight that has to happen. I absolutely know that he's a draw in his country, and I'm a draw. I'm still becoming more of a draw as I continue to win and to do what I have been able to do. You just mentioned my amateur pedigree. So there is a lot of intrigue to that fight, and I would be excited, as a fan, to see that fight. It just has to happen for many reasons. So I think that it will happen one day."
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.
